No agreement but ‘progress’ in Demarest Farms parking dispute – NorthJersey.com

Demarest Farms' fall parking plan includes street parking for its customers. Residents who live in the vicinity of the farm say that street parking for the farm's growing customer base is not safe. Catherine Carrera/NorthJersey.com

Demarest Farms is on Wierimus Road in Hillsdale.(Photo: Anne Caruso/NorthJersey.com file photo)

HILLSDALE No agreement was reached Friday but there was "progress" in the negotiations over Demarest Farms' parking, according to the farm's attorney.

The borough and Demarest Farms representatives met Friday morning to negotiate a resolution on parking for patrons of the farm, officials said.

"We aired our views and some progress was made," the farm's attorney, David Marcus, said. Hesaid further details could not be disclosed as the negotiations are ongoing. The representatives plan to meet again July 18.

The issue of where the farm's patrons can parkhas gotten contentious in the borough after recent "pick your own" seasons have drawn thousands of visitors to the 34-acre farm that sits on the corner of Hillsdale Avenue andWierimusRoad.

Farm co-owner JasonDeGisesaid the farm has been using off-site parking for 16 years. After nearby farms closed down, such asDePiero's Farmin Montvale, the number of customers has increased, Marcus has said.

The Borough Council recently passed an ordinance prohibiting parking on the 37 streets surrounding the farm on weekends during business hours from Aug. 30 through Oct. 30.

But the farm, which can accommodate 210 cars on-site, relies on street parking during that time for an estimated 600 vehicles.

The farm is currently seeking approval from the Bergen County Agriculture Development Board foraparking plan that calls for street parking for 600 patrons.

The borough recently offered to allow the farm to use its municipal lot downtown, which the farm would need to place a bid on, borough officials have said. The councilalso recently askedthe school board to allow Demarest Farms to use the 130 spaces at the parking lot at nearby Smith School.

A previous agreement between the school board and farm was terminated after public protest.

"We're working as best we can to support their application," Mayor Doug Frank said Friday.

Email: carrera@northjersey.com

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No agreement but 'progress' in Demarest Farms parking dispute - NorthJersey.com